another place, calls this river Oceames[217]. Τον δε ποταμον αρχαιοτατον μεν ονομα σχειν Ωκεαμην, ὁς εστιν Ἑλλενιστι ωκεανος. The former term, Ogenus, whence the Greeks borrowed their Oceanus, was a compound of Oc-Gehon, and Avas originally rendered Ogehonus. It signifies the noble Gehon, and is a name taken from one of the rivers of Paradise. The Nile was sometimes called simply Gehon, as we learn from the author of the Chronicon Paschale. [218]Εχει δε (ἡ Αιγυπτος) ποταμον Γηων--Νειλον καλουμενον. It was probably a name given by the Cuthites, from whom, as will be hereafter shewn, the river Indus had the name of Phison. [219]Ποταμοι ονομαστοι Ινδος, ὁ και Φεισων, Νειλος, ὁ και Γηων. _The two most celebrated rivers are the Indus, the same as the Phison, and the Nile, which is called the Gehon._ The river, also, of Colchis, rendered Phasis, and Phasin, was, properly, the Phison. The Nile, being of old styled Oc-Gehon, and having many branches, or arms, gave rise to the fable of the sea monster Ægeon, whom Ovid represents as supporting himself upon the whales of the ocean. [220]Balænarumque prementem Ægæona suis immania terga lacertis. The Scholiast upon Lycophron informs us farther, that the river had three names; and imagines that upon this account it was called Triton. [221]Τριτων ὁ Νειλος, ὁτι τρις μετωνομασθη· προτερον γαρ Ωκεανος αν εκαλειτο, δευτερον Αετος·--το δε Νειλος νεον εστι. I shall not at present controvert his etymology. Let it suffice, that we are assured, both by this author and by others, that the Nile was called Oceanus: and what is alluded to by Pherecydes is certainly a large map or chart. The robe of which he speaks was indeed a Pharos, Φαρος; but a Pharus of a different nature from that which he describes. It was a building, a temple, which was not constructed by the Deity, but dedicated to him. It was one of those towers of which I have before treated; in which were described upon the walls, and otherwise delineated, Ωγηνος και Ωγηνου δωματα, the course of the Gehon, or Nile; and the towns and houses upon that river. I imagine that the shield of Achilles, in Homer, was copied from something of this sort which the poet had seen in Egypt: for Homer is continually alluding to the customs, as well as to the history, of that kingdom. And, it is evident, that what he describes on the central part of the shield, is a map of the earth, and of the celestial appearances. [222]Εν μεν Γαιαν ετευξ', εν δ' Ουρανον, εν δε θαλασσαν. Εν δ' ετιθει ΠΟΤΑΜΟΙΟ μεγα σθενος ΩΚΕΑΝΟΙΟ. The antients loved to wrap up every thing in mystery and fable: they have therefore described Hercules, also, with a robe of this sort: [223]Ποικιλον ἑιμα φερων, τυπον Αιθερος, εικονα Κοσμου: _He was invested with a robe, which was a type of the heavens, and a representation of the whole world._